Today in Running History – Details, episodes & analysis

Today is Wednesday, July 2, and on this day in 1868, Bill Hayward was born.

In today's episode we discuss the first of three Bills to build the Oregon track program into what it is today. The original Bill, Coach Bill Hayward. We will also discuss how his legacy of "Hayward Magic" remains alive and well today at Hayward Field in Eugene.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. 

Bibliography:

• Moore, Kenny. Bowerman and the Men of Oregon. Rodale Inc., 2006
• ⁠https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/garland-stove⁠
• ⁠https://expo.uoregon.edu/spotlight/leadership-and-legacy-1de8f553-94c2-42ce-8935-bceaeb0a272b/feature/bill-hayward⁠
• ⁠https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3PdVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2OEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5856%2C6703073⁠
• ⁠https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PbJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pegDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6119%2C1484716⁠
• ⁠https://news.uoregon.edu/hayward-100-years⁠

Today is Tuesday, July 1, and on this day in 1948, Bill Bowerman became the head track coach at the University of Oregon. 

On this episode, we discuss Bowerman's legacy as both a coach to some of the best runners of the mid-20th century and as someone who helped spread running to everyday people. Then, we'll meet Coach Bowerman's middle son, Jay, to learn what he was like away from the track. 

This episode is sponsored by MyRaceTatts, the awesome temporary tattoos with motivational phrases that I love to wear during races. Listeners of Today in Running History can get 15% of your purchase with this link, or by using my code "HILLARY" at checkout. 

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, Rob on the Run here, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website here. 

Bibliography:

Moore, Kenny. Bowerman and the Men of Oregon. Rodale Inc., 2006

Today is Thursday, July 3, 2025, and on this day in 1983, American sprinter Calvin Smith lowered the 100m world record to 9.93 seconds.

In today's episode we will talk about the history of the 100m sprint and Smith's career leading up to that fateful race, then hear from Calvin Smith directly about what it felt like to run the single fastest race of the entire 1980s.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherun

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and share, then connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or through my ⁠website⁠.

Bibliography:

• • ⁠https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/02/03/The-1983-National-Sports-Festival-will-be-used-to/8074413096400/⁠
  • ⁠https://msfame.com/inductees/calvin-smith/⁠
  • ⁠https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Calvin_Smith.pdf⁠
  • ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUWW8defMw4⁠
  • ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox-FszWWEbk⁠
  • ⁠http://ancientolympics.arts.kuleuven.be/eng/TC002aEN.html#:~:text=The%20stadion%20was%20the%20oldest,in%20Delphi%20177%2C55%20m⁠.
  • ⁠https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/07/11/the-fastest-doubleheader-ever⁠ 

Today is Friday, July 4, 2025, and on this day in 1886, Tom Longboat was born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada.

In today's episode, we will talk about Tom Longboat's experience and legacy as an indigenous runner, hear how he won the Boston Marathon in 1907, and talk to his great, great grandson, Kristian, who is literally running in his footsteps.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. 

Bibliography:

• https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-bm1901/59647473/
• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/125-years-running-here-are-some-fast-facts-about-the-around-the-bay-road-race-1.5077295
• https://bayrace.com/history/
• https://longboatroadrunners.com/about-longboat/
• https://cache.boston.com/marathon/history/1907.shtml
• https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-marathon/2014/04/14/scenes-from-the-finish-line/
• https://windspeaker.com/news/footprints/tom-longboat-athlete-whose-travels-were-far-and-fast
• https://veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canada/tom-longboat-junior-public-school

Today is Sunday, July 6, 2025, and on this day in 1917, legendary running coach Arthur Lydiard was born in Auckland, New Zealand.

In today's episode, we will talk about Arthur Lydiard's legacy as the coach to multiple Olympic medalists, learn about his training philosophy that has become commonplace today, and celebrate his believe that running for fun and fitness is for everyone.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. 

Bibliography:

• ⁠https://athletics.org.nz/legends/arthur-lydiard/⁠

• ⁠https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20797781/essential-lydiard/⁠

• ⁠https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/arthur-lydiard⁠

• ⁠https://coachsaltmarsh.com/the-lydiard-effect-cross-country-training/⁠

• ⁠https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/6l3/lydiard-arthur-leslie/print⁠

• ⁠https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/odd-man-out/⁠

• ⁠https://janecopland.com/2019/02/26/running-into-obsession-the-church-of-arthur-lydiard/⁠

• ⁠https://run.outsideonline.com/training/training-plans/marathon/eliud-kipchoge-marathon-workout-training-principles⁠

• ⁠https://www.aucklandjoggers.co.nz/about-3⁠

Today is Saturday, July 5, and on this day in 1986, Norwegian runner Ingrid Kristiansen broke the 10,000m world record she set one year earlier in an incredible 30:13.74

In this episode we will talk about Kristiansen's many wins throughout the 1980s (including more than half of the marathons she ever entered), learn more about this record-shattering performance in the summer of 1986, and hear from Ingrid Kristiansen herself about what that day was really like.

This episode is sponsored by SaltStick, my favorite source of electrolytes during long runs, especially in the summer. They recently came out with a caffeinated version of their FastChews, and I am basically living off of them while putting myself through the hell that is summer marathon training in Texas.

Listeners can save 20% off your purchase by using this link at any time, or use this one to purchase through Amazon during the upcoming Prime Days for some extra savings!

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, Rob on the Run on Youtube, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. Bibliography:

• https://www.european-athletics.com/news/golden-moments-kristiansen-scintillating-000m-stuttgart
• https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/06/sports/kristiansen-breaks-record.html
• https://athleticsweekly.com/news/interviews/ingrid-kristiansen-my-greatest-race-1039970267/
• https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/eTN1986_16_GoodwillG.pdf

Today is Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and on this day in 2019, Rosie Ruiz, the woman who famously cheated her way to a first place finish at the 1980 Boston Marathon, died at the age of 66.

In this episode, we will learn more about Ruiz's life pre-infamy, take a deep dive into her ridiculous "win" in 1980, and find out if she ever made amends with the BAA.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. 

Bibliography:

• https://www.baa.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/BostonMarathonHistoricalResults.pdf

• https://www.thesportscol.com/2024/03/this-women-pulled-a-rosie-ruiz/

• https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-rosie-ruiz-boston-marathon-jacqueline-gareau-1.6426886

• https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,984407-2,00.html

• https://time.com/3822577/rosie-ruiz-history/ 

• https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/rosie-ruiz-dies-boston-marathon

• https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/west-palm-beach-fl/rosie-vivas-8774911?fbclid=IwAR1YjL5FUf6xsNaBIABRkX-4POTUyI29W77QSmVzGEvJpbuUiXZB-MUFp1A

• https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a28615122/rosie-ruiz-boston-marathon-dies/

• https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-21/rosie-ruiz-fakes-boston-marathon-win

Today is Monday, July 7, 2025 and on this day in 1999, Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj ran what remains the fastest mile in history.

In this episode we will learn about El Guerrouj's running career leading up to that evening, hear how that spectacular race played out, and discuss what's next in the world of middle distance running.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. 

Bibliography:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20070210141511/http://wls3.com/running/elg.php

• https://www.deseret.com/sports/2023/2/21/23601453/super-shoes-overwhelming-track-and-field-record-book/

• https://worldathletics.org/news/report/el-guerrouj-smashes-mile-record-as-johnson-da

• https://africa-news-agency.com/hicham-el-guerrouj-from-track-to-business-an-exceptional-journey/

• https://www.abramundi.org/post/hicham-el-guerrouj-legend-and-symbol-of-moroccan-athletics

• https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=259970

• https://runningmagazine.ca/sections/runs-races/jakob-ingebrigtsen-takes-third-straight-diamond-league-title-in-chaotic-1500m-final/

• https://worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/middlelong/one-mile/all/men/senior

Today is Wednesday, July 8, 2025, and on this day in 1978, American distance runner Kara Goucher was born.

In this episode, we'll learn more about Kara's background, I'll do a top 5 countdown on why she's my personal favorite runner of all time, and then we'll hear from Kara herself about motherhood, Minnesota, and the advice she'd give her younger self.

This episode is sponsored by MyRaceTatts, the awesome temporary tattoos with motivational phrases that I love to wear during races. Listeners of Today in Running History can get 15% of your purchase with this link, or by using my code "HILLARY" at checkout. 

During today's episode, I reference the two books that Kara Goucher authored:

• The Longest Race can be purchased here
• Strong can be purchased here

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, Rob on the Run here, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website here. 

Bibliography:

• Goucher, K. (2023). "The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team". Gallery Books
• http://www.karagoucher.com/about/
• https://cubuffs.com/honors/cu-athletic-hall-of-fame/kara-grgaswheeler-goucher/52
• https://www.oiselle.com/pages/kara-goucher?srsltid=AfmBOoowkRkAd92NhfVkhcxolXAaw-Mkl68MgUQ1nc5s1DfSuU9y3cBo

Edit to add - upon listening to this episode myself, I realize that I made 3 errors. Kara and Adam got married in 2001, her book is called "Strong" without an "er", and Billy Mills' win was in 1964.

Today is Thursday, July 10, 2025, and on this day in 1922, Jamaican sprinter Herb McKenley was born.

In this episode we'll learn about his early years, discuss his versatile and record-shattering career as a professional runner, and hear how his contributions led to Jamaica becoming the track and field powerhouse that it is today.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, Rob on the Run ⁠here⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary, or check out my website ⁠here⁠. 

Bibliography:

• https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:7167b969-e183-4608-b3ab-a5e77b4038ef?viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover

• https://www.trackandfieldjamaica.com/team/herb-mckenley

• https://worldathletics.org/news/news/world-record-breaker-herb-mckenley-passes-awa-1

• https://jis.gov.jm/information/famous-jamaicans/herbert-henry-mckenley/

• https://joa.org.jm/olympic_athlete/herb-mckenley/

• https://www.jamaicaexperiences.com/blogs/details/article/top-10-jamaican-track-and-field-athletic-stars

• https://nlj.gov.jm/Herb_Mckenley.pdf

• https://pennrelays.com/sports/2023/2/8/records-results.aspx